Radio update recommendation

[ashtonkundert]

So I’ve been doing some research for upgrading my radio to support bluetooth and also aux. My car is a 2004 A4 with the Symphony II radio. I have an fm transmitter and i just get a ton of interference and would rather not deal with that. I know I can get a wiring kit and a dash kit and all that and also a new radio, or I’ve been looking at the Dension kits... which would you guys recommend I do? This is the kit I was looking at, https://enfigcarstereo.com/DENSION_GBL3AU2.html
Again feel free to direct me to other threads but I just thought I’d ask as in sure many of you have been in this situation.

[egovreau]

Really, it's going to come down to you... What your preferences are, brand, features, funds, etc.

You can go with the industry popular name brands and Enfig is one of the better shops for fit kits and harnesses. But unless things have changed, most of them do not have CAN support which means where you would normally see track information on the instrument cluster will be a blank square.

Or you can go with various Android based until which generally will (like the Dynavin).

That's my take, anyway. I haven't looked any further into making any changes for a while. I started out with a Symphony II, swapped in a Pioneer (first with the Crutchfield crap, then later with Enfig harness/dash kit - very much worth r money), 'upgraded' again to RNS-E (quickly got tired of the clunky controls) then finally settled on a Dynavin N7. All in all spending way too much money along the way.

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[slacktide]

If you're planning to keep the car and can swing the price tag, I'm 98% happy with my Dynavin N7 A4 Pro. Drop-in custom replacement, no dash kit, no cutting anything, no splicing, plugs into the factory harness, matches factory lighting. They even include a set of factory radio removal tools. Only wire to run is if you want to add the backup camera. It's not an Android based unit like the cheaper aliexpress units, they have their own custom OS. Touchscreen, has built-in Nav, but using Android Auto or Apple Carplay apps like Waze is better. Built in MP3 jukebox, bluetooth streaming and calling. It even shows the song info on the Audi dashboard display. Optional fwd and rear cameras, but don't buy theirs, there are better ones on Amazon. The only 2% I'm not happy with is that I get a loud pop when the unit turns off.

(Edit) Hey egovreau in Renton - Slacktide in Everett. Do you have the N7 or the newer N7 Pro w/ Carplay? Do you get a turn-off pop?

https://dynavinnorthamerica.com/coll...19332153311289

[slacktide]

Excuse my lack of a glovebox and underdash, i'm in the middle of doing something insane.



Custom boot screen



Radio favorites - you need to load the images for the presets onto the SD card.



MP3 jukebox - reads cover art as long as it's embedded in your tunes.

[egovreau]

Hey egovreau in Renton - Slacktide in Everett. Do you have the N7 or the newer N7 Pro w/ Carplay? Do you get a turn-off pop?

I have the N7. I've had it for about a year and a half. Well before I find out about the N7 Pro.

I don't notice a pop when I turn it off. Do you have the Bose or non-Bose? I think I remember something about needing some extra components for the Bose systems. The support guys are supposed to be pretty good.

That's awesome about the custom images? Where did you find them and any tips on uploading them?

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[OB 1 KENOBl]

I'm in a similar boat in my 04 A4. My cassette aux player is awful, and I'm in desperate need of an upgrade. I'm actually gathering parts in an effort to mount a Google Nexus 7 on a double din fascia and connect it to a single din headunit mounted in the glovebox.
I'll keep you posted, if you're interested.


There are a few really nice write-ups here in the forums that detail similar setups. There are also a few that cover your run of the mill head unit upgrade.

When I'm at wits end trying to keep my beautiful German sports car in fighting shape, I've always found comfort in the search bar. It'll serve you well.

SERVICE!

[slacktide]

I don't notice a pop when I turn it off. Do you have the Bose or non-Bose? I think I remember something about needing some extra components for the Bose systems. The support guys are supposed to be pretty good.

That's awesome about the custom images? Where did you find them and any tips on uploading them?

I have Bose, the only installation difference is a checkbox in the software to use the internal DSP or the Bose DSP. Haven't gotten around to troubleshooting in detail or contacting them about it.

For the preset icons, I just found some logo graphics on the web. Crop and resize to 122 X 92 pixels, save as jpg/png/bmp, then put in a folder on the SD card called RADIO. Name the files FM1 FM2 FM3 etc to associate them with the right preset.

For the boot screen, I just did a web search for "Audi Wallpaper" "Audi Background" and "MMI Splash Screen". Crop and resize to 1024 X 600 pixels, save anywhere on the SD card that you want to. Browse to the file with the media viewer, then click the icon in the lower left corner to make it the boot screen. Here's a few that I thew together, I'm not claiming to have the skills of an artisté or even good taste in general.

[Fast4esT]

I am running the Symphony 2+ with enfig usb input. the 2+ unit has digital input option (program in with vagcom), sounds much better than aux. input. enfig also has adapters to add bluetooth here if you want that as well. I get music playing off my iPhone X and charging, works like an aftermarket unit, works great. can also add an aftermarket DSP if more tuning is needed I believe. running this with a 600 watt 5 channel Alpine pdx5, it cranks with Bose speakers, just installed Morel speakers, can't comment on them yet, still in process

[egovreau]

I have Bose, the only installation difference is a checkbox in the software to use the internal DSP or the Bose DSP. Haven't gotten around to troubleshooting in detail or contacting them about it.

For the preset icons, I just found some logo graphics on the web. Crop and resize to 122 X 92 pixels, save as jpg/png/bmp, then put in a folder on the SD card called RADIO. Name the files FM1 FM2 FM3 etc to associate them with the right preset.

For the boot screen, I just did a web search for "Audi Wallpaper" "Audi Background" and "MMI Splash Screen". Crop and resize to 1024 X 600 pixels, save anywhere on the SD card that you want to. Browse to the file with the media viewer, then click the icon in the lower left corner to make it the boot screen. Here's a few that I thew together, I'm not claiming to have the skills of an artisté or even good taste in general.

Hey, those are pretty sweet. I just might steal one or all of them.

I went back and looked up an old post on the N6, if you scroll to entry #31, it mentions what I couldn't remember.

Jeff at J&T should be able to help you out (if you bought it from them).

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...s-video-review

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[Tahoe3.0]

chinese android faux OEM radio here.

I am using 2 line output converters to work with the bose, wicked easy install. Unit fits perfectly and harness hooks right up, just have to cut in the converters to get rid of the "pop" and bad ground noise.

It's older so my challenges with it are related to that, but, it does have some. The biggest one is that it has trouble with MAC addresses and struggles to connect sometimes to my hotspot. Overall I like it. I use an app called agama car launcher which makes it feel and look oem+. You can select Audi as one of the presets and everything looks like factory and match the colors to your dash. I think I have posted a pic of what it looks like somewhere here.

You can also watch porn on it.

[kaleb.anderson]

I prefer not having a bunch of screens in the car so I steered away from upgrading to a full nav console and ended up with the Enfig with the bluetooth adapter + aux cord (but I never use the aux). My only complaint is that ~35% of the time I have to unplug and then replug the bluetooth adapter back onto cord which I have in my glove box for it to turn on but it works like a charm otherwise.

[Deerhurst]

Compared to other Android options the N7 is vastly over priced.

I too run a China unit, an Xtrons RNS copy. Runs Android 9.0 like a champ. I can't leave anything alone so I'm running one of the Hal9000 ROMs.

I didn't keep any of the factory junk though. I'm full RCAs to a 5 channel amp to power my door speakers and subs.


If you are so inclined I have a Dynavin unit for iPhone, no cable unfortunately as it died on removal. I also have a GROM with Bluetooth and harness for a NON bose car. Both I don't have any use for anymore.

[ashtonkundert]

What Dynavin unit are you talking about and what is the GROM unit???

[ashtonkundert]

If you are so inclined I have a Dynavin unit for iPhone, no cable unfortunately as it died on removal. I also have a GROM with Bluetooth and harness for a NON bose car. Both I don't have any use for anymore.

What are these??

[Deerhurst]

Sorry, not Dynavin, Denison. Was looking at Dynavin trying to type Denison.


Both the Denison and GROM add USB/Bluetooth, etc to the factory head unit. I added the GROM to my car, had the Denison but I don't iPhone, so I could play music from USB it my phone, charge my phone and take calls hands free.

- - - Updated - - -

I went with the Xtrons and no lo g need them.

[Kevin C]

A quick look shows that the Dynavin has Android auto and CANBUS integration. I would get it just for the CANBUS.

[Deerhurst]

Most of the cheap Chinese units deigned for the car also have CANBUS integration. I can confirm the Xtrons does for under $300.

[Deerhurst]

Hell, it's Android. Want a feature? Don't have it? Flash a ROM or install an app.

The Xtrons has screen mirroring wired and wireless for Android and wired for iOS. I havnt tried any car play stuff. I just use mine as a stand alone unit. I host wifi to it from my phone and share a Google account to it with my other devices.

[Tahoe3.0]

Yeah same here ^

Clearing codes with the torque app is wonderful. I just wish its polling was faster so the gauges were useful and logs weren’t garbage.

[QWIKSVO]

I seen this one in a post here and think it will be going in my A4 to replace the factory nav unit I have in there now. It belongs back in one of my S4s anyway, if I can ever get it back on the road.
https://xtrons.com/audi-seat-various...-rom-ib79aa4rp

Or maybe this one that ECS has.
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-bremmen-...m/022619brp05/

After driving my 2014 and using the Bluetooth/nav in it all the time, I will probably end up having to add a radio with it to several other cars. I hate commercial radio anymore. I can't listen to Led Zeppelin over and over anymore.

If there are better units out there please let me know.

[Deerhurst]

I have that Xtrons unit. Works great. If you search around some you can find it for quite a bit cheaper. Probably even cheaper yet if you are OK with a little longer ship time.

I run an older HAL9000 ROM on it. I believe it is just a MTCE unit like most of the newer Android head units out there.

Going with the version with more RAM is a good idea.

[Kevin C]

Most of the cheap Chinese units deigned for the car also have CANBUS integration. I can confirm the Xtrons does for under $300.

So the dash display on the speedometer cluster shows the radio information? If it does that's awesome.

[Deerhurst]

So the dash display on the speedometer cluster shows the radio information? If it does that's awesome.

It does. And USB Audio elapsed time. Havnt tried anything else. Looks like the price on them has gone up or I just got a really good deal.

[flasheverything]

If you want to go oem option, you can buy a an rns-e and then a bluetooth connector from amazon/ebay , I dont know if the display will be functional but at least itll be bluetooth


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[slacktide]

Following up to share the easy fix for my turn-off pop issue with the Dynavin N7 Pro & Bose amp, in case anyone else runs into the same issue. My younger brother, a bonafide audio engineer to the stars, helped me do some troubleshooting, it seems like there is a small voltage difference in the ground levels of the line in/line out connections between N7 Pro and the Bose amp. A pair of in-line ground isolation transformers and it works great, plug and play. I used a pair of Pacific Audio SNI-1, $8 on Amazon, but they're all about the same. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[GTA]

Do a search for the brand Yatour. It's a Chinese branded interface that'll hook directly up to the back of your OE Symphony head unit. No modifications needed. I have an older one that fools the radio into thinking there's a CD changer connected and will talk to the Yatour unit.

Mine is capable of SD card, USB and Aux inputs though newer ones have Bluetooth capabilities as well. No complaints with mine over 6 years of use except the fact that the OE Symphony in my car can only display up to 99 tracks. I work around this by limiting the number of music files in each folder to 99. It's tiny and I installed the unit in my glove box.

Works well for when I take a long trip and never have to listen to the same song twice (unless I want to).



Best of all, it was like CDN$90 shipped to my door.

[Dr.B6Banter]

Do a search for the brand Yatour. It's a Chinese branded interface that'll hook directly up to the back of your OE Symphony head unit. No modifications needed. I have an older one that fools the radio into thinking there's a CD changer connected and will talk to the Yatour unit.

Mine is capable of SD card, USB and Aux inputs though newer ones have Bluetooth capabilities as well. No complaints with mine over 6 years of use except the fact that the OE Symphony in my car can only display up to 99 tracks. I work around this by limiting the number of music files in each folder to 99. It's tiny and I installed the unit in my glove box.

Works well for when I take a long trip and never have to listen to the same song twice (unless I want to).

Best of all, it was like CDN$90 shipped to my door.

How would you say the audio quality compares to the radio?

I use this odd patch harness to allow for a coaxial input which I then wired to an aux cable and while the audio quality isn't bad it is noticeably quieter and less detailed than the radio. I like the idea of getting an OEM lookalike android head unit down the road but they seem to be designed for the bose audio systems and require fiddling to get work with the base symphony system.

Capture.jpg

[GTA]

How would you say the audio quality compares to the radio?

The quality is pretty good but it also depends on the quality of the files you play also. Its at least as good as the radio if not better. I haven't found any reason to complain thus far.

[Kevin C]

Finally figured out what unit I wanted. Based on Matt Devo's recommendations on the B7 thread https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...nstalls/page78 I picked up a CarExc unit with an 8" touch screen. $340 shipped is not super budget but its not like I'm spending money on going out to dinner or on gas. There is also a 9" unit but this one seem to have a better recommendation.

I almost went with Xtrons, but they seem stuck with the PX5 cpu and for about the same price the CarEcx has better specs and has good reviews. The CarEcX unit also says it has a IPS type screen, not sure on the Xtrons.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000...04337142.pic_7

This one has what appears to be the best feature set I have seen. PX6 processor, 4 gig ram, 64 gig memory, 8" IPS touch screen and a DSP. Based on other reviews its also one of the rear units that doesn't have a noise issue when plugged into the Bose amp, I will verify that.

Other thanthe android units and the Dynavin N7 A4 Pro, I dont know of any other radios that display info on the cluster. The one option that I wanted was an HD tuner, and neither of these choices have that.

It should arrive on the 4th, hopefully this works out. It's also my first time buying on AliExpress.

I borrowed Matts pictures





I'm pretty stocked to get an upgrade with ability to run app on android, nav, and a backup camera.

[Ecivilized]

This topic has been running for years, I would add and recommend Pioneers Mixtrax series, I have the 3200 in my A4 b7 S-Line Cabrio it fits perfectly has Bluetooth, 7inch display Cd/DVD player. Apple CarPlay, connects to my Factory IPod connect in the glove compartment, GPS adapter for Sirius XM, adjustable angle display, customizable display, and a rear camera connection to add a back up camera. I added the Kenwood camera





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[Gunnarrrrr]

Finally figured out what unit I wanted. Based on Matt Devo's recommendations on the B7 thread https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...nstalls/page78 I picked up a CarExc unit with an 8" touch screen. $340 shipped is not super budget but its not like I'm spending money on going out to dinner or on gas. There is also a 9" unit but this one seem to have a better recommendation.

I almost went with Xtrons, but they seem stuck with the PX5 cpu and for about the same price the CarEcx has better specs and has good reviews. The CarEcX unit also says it has a IPS type screen, not sure on the Xtrons.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000...04337142.pic_7

This one has what appears to be the best feature set I have seen. PX6 processor, 4 gig ram, 64 gig memory, 8" IPS touch screen and a DSP. Based on other reviews its also one of the rear units that doesn't have a noise issue when plugged into the Bose amp, I will verify that.

Other thanthe android units and the Dynavin N7 A4 Pro, I dont know of any other radios that display info on the cluster. The one option that I wanted was an HD tuner, and neither of these choices have that.

It should arrive on the 4th, hopefully this works out. It's also my first time buying on AliExpress.

I borrowed Matts pictures





I'm pretty stocked to get an upgrade with ability to run app on android, nav, and a backup camera.

I'm planning on picking up one of these as well, I'm getting pretty tired of my RNS-E tbh, and not having access to anything other than AUX. I have a CD changer I retrofitted, and it has SD card mp3 support, but that's basically 3 obsolete technologies right there. They look great, but I think I'd prefer the functionality of an 8" or 9" touch screen.

If anyone wants and RNS-E, I have two MK1's that I'll be getting rid of, one's a US, the other a EU flashed to accept NA maps.

[Kevin C]

I'm planning on picking up one of these as well, I'm getting pretty tired of my RNS-E tbh, and not having access to anything other than AUX. I have a CD changer I retrofitted, and it has SD card mp3 support, but that's basically 3 obsolete technologies right there. They look great, but I think I'd prefer the functionality of an 8" or 9" touch screen.

If anyone wants and RNS-E, I have two MK1's that I'll be getting rid of, one's a US, the other a EU flashed to accept NA maps.

I beat this decision to death, reading about the various choices to try and learn about these head units and make a good decision. Not my normal area and I wanted to just buy once ( we will see how that works out). I'm pretty exited to get past my super ancient Sony unit that if was any older it would have tubes.

A next question is anyone have a recommendation for a a backup camera for the B6? I will probably add a forward one as well.

[Deerhurst]

Maybe something like this?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Car-Backup-...edirect=mobile


Make sure your head unit will accept the video signal of whatever one you buy. I've run into this lately, especially with aftermarket units in newer vehicles. Many aftermarket head units want an analog signal.

[BumblebVR6]

I have a RNS-E I just pulled out of my car. Installed an aftermarket radio so I could simplify things and hook up aftermarket amps. It has GPS antenna and all the other stuff w/ it. Will post it up once I figure out the pricing.

[Kevin C]

Maybe something like this?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Car-Backup-...edirect=mobile


Make sure your head unit will accept the video signal of whatever one you buy. I've run into this lately, especially with aftermarket units in newer vehicles. Many aftermarket head units want an analog signal.

Looks decent, I was hoping to find someone that had tried a particular model and liked how it works. Then again at $17 , not a lot to lose.

[Deerhurst]

Wish I had a recommendation for something I've tried. I rather dislike most of the nanny aids such as backup cameras. I am grouchy and stuck in my ways. I'll be a joy to get along with when I'm 80. I'm sure of it!

[Kevin C]

Finally figured out what unit I wanted.



I'm pretty stocked to get an upgrade with ability to run app on android, nav, and a backup camera.

I finally got the unit in,(PX6 processor, 4 gig ram, 64 gig memory, 8" IPS touch screen and a DSP.). Plug and play to the Bose system, no noise and proper volume levels to the channels. It works perfectly with all the speakers, even the center one in the dash. The reception seems very good, I sill have a bit to learn about it and I need to hook up the nanny cam. It will be interesting to have them front and rear. If it saves me just one scraped wheel it will be worth it.

After hearing all the mods needed to get the Xtrons units to work correctly I have to say i really recommend this unit. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000...-06967-_ePNSNV

[Deerhurst]

My Xtrons was plug and play and I don't have Bose. My rear speakers have always been a little funny.

I'm not familiar with any of the mods needed for the Xtrons.

PX6 and a DSP is a nice touch!

[Dr.B6Banter]

My Xtrons was plug and play and I don't have Bose. My rear speakers have always been a little funny.

I'm not familiar with any of the mods needed for the Xtrons.

PX6 and a DSP is a nice touch!

That's good to know... I'll have to look into it more but if the Xtrons works with Sympohny II then that would be a pretty good deal...

[Deerhurst]

The Xtrons head unit will replace your symphony 2 head unit. My RNS copy Xtrons with the PX5 was a nice little bump in audio quality. It sounds dammed good for OE speakers. I'm really quite impressed with the OE speakers, they just seem to need more power.

I now have mine putting signal over RCA to an aftermarket amp. Other than OE door speakers I'm far from stock anymore.

My rear speakers were always really quiet. Didn't matter what head unit, what amp, etc. For some reason I never got decent voltage for the signal. Something like half the voltage I get over RCA for the fronts. It was like that with the OE amp and Symphony and like that after the Xtrons with the OE amp. I now run every channel over RCA and not the OE wiring. Problem solved!

Never had a problem with the fronts.

Since the non bose uses the rear channels for sub too I never had much of a sub, or really any sub due to the poor signal. That's over a RCA now. My little 6.5s get down! Down to about 10hz!